Galápagos Islands Cruise Holiday Extension

Today we travel from Lima to Quito. Upon arrival, we transfer to Hotel Patio Andaluz or Sheraton Quito Hotel, our hotel for the next two nights.

After breakfast, we explore Quito’s beautiful, UNESCO-listed Old Town on a guided walking tour. Visit Independence Square, the cathedral, the Presidential and Bishop’s Palaces, and the magnificent Jesuit Church, La Compañía. We continue to a cacao museum where there is an opportunity to sample some rich Ecuadorian chocolate, before arriving at the Equatorial Monument. A unique opportunity to straddle the equator with one foot in each hemisphere!

We transfer to the airport for our flight to San Cristóbal Island, in the heart of the Galápagos Islands. We board the MV Galápagos Legend, our comfortable expedition ship, ready for our four-night adventure. This afternoon, we embark on our first visit excursion, with a visit to the San Cristóbal Interpretation Centre to learn about the islands’ formation and history. A hike to Frigatebird Hill (Cerro Tijeretas) rewards us with sweeping views and sightings of both the Great Frigatebird and the Magnificent Frigatebird. We return to our ship and settle in for our first night onboard.

We start our day on the white sands of Gardner Bay after our ship docks, where we can snorkel in the pristine waters of one of the archipelago’s most impressive bays. It’s here where sea lions laze on the bright, white shore and mockingbirds dart between us. Later, visit Punta Suarez, a naturalist’s paradise and the oldest extant island in the Galápagos. With a bit of luck, this is our opportunity to see the rare endemic waved albatross (during the breeding season April-December).

Our day begins at Post Office Bay, where there is the opportunity to join in with a centuries-old tradition of leaving or collecting a postcard from the historic mail barrel, dating back to 1793. Our afternoon begins with a walk to Punta Cormoran’s lagoon, often frequented by a troupe of pink flamingos. We finish the day at Devil’s Crown, teeming with marine life like nesting green turtles, it is one of the best snorkelling sites in the Galápagos.

Today we sail to the lava dock at Santa Cruz Island, passing a welcome committee of iguanas camouflaged against the volcanic rocks. Stroll across the beach to Dragon Hill, where we spot more marine iguanas, land birds, and perhaps a flamingo or two near the saltwater lagoon. We continue our exploration at Punta Bowditch, a true hidden gem. This is one of the archipelago’s lesser-visited spots, with a picture-perfect beach and a real sense of peaceful seclusion. Wander the coral trails or snorkel around turquoise water islets for a real slice of island life.

Our island voyage comes to a close today, but not before visiting a highland tortoise reserve this morning. Walk amongst the famous wild Giant tortoises and watch their leisurely daily routines at close quarters. The reserve is also home to other native highland species, including Darwin’s finches. This afternoon, we head to Baltra Island Airport for an afternoon flight to Quito, where we transfer to Hotel Patio Andaluz or Sheraton Quito Hotel for one final night in Ecuador’s capital.

After breakfast, we leave our hotel and transfer to the airport for our flight back to the UK, via Amsterdam or Paris.